Movies are rated from 1 to 5 stars (1 star being terrible, 5 being outstanding)."Top Pick!" indicates a movie that I think is very good and will have a lot of popular appeal.

Movie links go to Amazon.com. If the film you are interested in is out-of-print, I recommend ordering a used copy via Amazon.com. I've had very good luck obtaining hard-to-find and obscure films this way.

This 1987 TV-movie is a departure for Jones. He plays a quiet priest who has been using his priesthood duties to effectively isolate himself from the real world. His self-protective habits are broken when he gives Last Rites to a murder victim. Jones goes through a journey of self-discovery as he tries to solve the murder mystery.

While an interesting component to the plot, the mystery isn't really the most important part of the story. Jones's own inner questions and quiet turmoil create much of the conflict and interest. A beautiful woman (Annette O'Toole) introduces additional temptations and complications as well.

The pace of this film is leisurely, and perhaps starts to lag a little in places. It should be emphasized that this is mostly a character study, not an action film or murder mystery.

If I recall correctly, this film caused a minor furor among some members of the Catholic church when it first aired. If you are a devout Catholic, take note of the title and be warned that perhaps some elements of this film might be offensive. There is nothing overly violent or explicit in this film—nonetheless, it did upset a certain portion of its viewers. VHS | DVD

Another departure for Jones. In this film he plays a doctor who specializes in treating autism. The pace and story of this movie wasn't up to par. Average and somewhat disappointing.

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Tommy Lee Jones and Jessica Lange star in this acclaimed drama.

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Sweet film that explores a young girl's relationship with her ex-con father (played by Jones).

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Jones garnered some attention after he did this '80s TV-movie about a frustrated Vietnam veteran who goes to extreme measures to get his message out. VHS | DVD

Jessica Lange, Tommy Lee Jones and Rip Torn star in this dramatization of the Tennessee Williams work. VHS | DVD

Technically stunning but disappointing sequel to the original "Men in Black" movie. The special effects are better than ever, but the plot is slim—nigh onto nonexistent. Will Smith is just as funny as he was in the first MIB installation, and helps make this film somewhat enjoyable to watch. Jones's scenes are wonderful as well. The scenario the writers devised to get him to return to his job as a "Man in Black" was especially amusing. Also, look for the ever-hilarious Patrick Warburton as Smith's soon-to-be-ex partner in the beginning of the film.

The ingenious special effects and the comic talents of Smith and Jones are the main saving grace in this movie. Had it not been for their strong performances I probably would have given "MIB 2" only two stars. VHS | DVD

Leisurely TV movie about aging cowboys (played by Jones and Sam Shepard). Sissy Spacek stars as a schoolmarm that captures Jones's heart. A very good movie. VHS | DVD

Conspiracy thriller starring Gene Hackman as the hero, and Tommy Lee Jones as a charismatic but deadly adversary who switches identities with ease. VHS | DVD

The La Brea Tar Pits finally blow! This spells disaster for Los Angeles, so brave souls like Jones and Anne Heche must help figure out what to do. This is a routine disaster flick that I rather enjoyed—in part, I suspect, because it was set in my hometown of L.A. I especially liked some subtle regional references—like the actress who played a geologist associate of Heche. She's a dead ringer for real-life Cal Tech geologist Kate Hutton, who is somewhat of a local celebrity as she is regularly interviewed on TV each time an earthquake hits. This is a detail that only Angelenos will notice, but I got a kick out of it.

Jones and Heche are fine in their roles. Jones spends most of his time on screen trying to figure out what is going to happen next, and avoiding near death and disaster at every turn. He's likable and competent in his role, as usual.

This is a completely routine film that isn't great, but isn't terrible. Rest assured, Jones and Company rescue L.A. in the end. VHS | DVD